COOKING APPLIANCE
Gas cooking appliance including at least one burner and an ignition device configured to ignite the burner. The ignition device includes a pulse generator configured to send at least one electric pulse for the purpose of generating a spark to ignite the burner. The cooking appliance also includes a flame detector configured to detect the presence/absence of a flame in the burner. The pulse generator is in electrical contact with a part of the burner and the flame detector is connected to ground. The cooking appliance further includes insulating means that insulates the burner with respect to ground, such that when the pulse generator sends at least one electric pulse, an electric spark capable of igniting the burner is generated between the burner and the flame detector.
This application relates to and claims the benefit and priority to International Application No. PCT/ES2019/070667, filed Oct. 3, 2019, which claims the benefit and priority to European Application No. EP18382739.3, filed Oct. 16, 2018.
FIELDThe present invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising gas-fed burners, ignition devices for igniting the burners, and flame detectors configured for detecting the presence/absence of flame in the burner.
BACKGROUNDGas cooking appliances comprising a plurality of gas-fed burners, an ignition device which in turn comprises a spark-generating plug, and a thermocouple associated with each burner and connected with a safety valve, are known in the prior art. In this sense, U.S. Publication No. 2014/0302445A1, for example, discloses a cooking appliance, wherein the igniter device is controlled depending on the electrical signal generated by the thermocouple.
SUMMARYAccording to one embodiment, a gas cooking appliance is provided that includes at least one burner connected to a gas supply, an ignition device configured for igniting the burner, the ignition device comprising a pulse generator configured for sending at least one electric pulse generating a spark which ignites the burner, and a flame detector configured for detecting the presence/absence of flame in the burner. The pulse generator is in electrical contact with the burner and the flame detector is connected to ground.
The gas cooking appliance further comprises insulating means insulating the burner with respect to ground, such that when the pulse generator of the ignition device sends at least one electric pulse, a spark capable of igniting the burner is generated between the burner and the flame detector.
A gas cooking appliance with a more efficient ignition system is thereby obtained. The inexistence of the spark plug for igniting the burner thereby prevents common ignition problems due to dirt or dampness in the spark plug which cause incorrect spark ignition. In this case, the spark is ignited from the burner above the flame detector.
Cleaning of the burner is also made easier since the spark plug no longer exists. Furthermore, symmetrical burners are obtained as a concealed gap for the spark plug is not required, improving burner performance.
These and other advantages and features will become evident in view of the drawings and detailed description.
The gas cooking appliance 20 comprises a thermocouple 26 associated with each burner 22 and configured for detecting the presence/absence of flame in the burner 22. The thermocouple 26 is connected to ground and to an electromagnetic safety valve 32 which opens or closes the gas passage through the gas supply conduit 31, such that once the gas passage to the burner 22 is open, in the event that the thermocouple 26 does not detect flame in the burner 22, it would stop feeding the corresponding electromagnetic valve 32, with the gas passage to the burner 22 closing. The operation of the thermocouple along with the electromagnetic valve is known in the prior art, so it is not considered necessary to describe it in further detail.
In the prior art, the gas cooking appliance 20 comprises a spark plug 29 connected to a spark generator 28. The burner 22 is connected to ground, such that when the spark generator 28 sends current pulses to the spark plug 29, a spark 30 capable of igniting the burner 22 is generated between the spark plug 29 and the burner 22.
Each burner 3 comprises a flame detector 5 configured for detecting the presence/absence of flame in the burner 3. The flame detector 5 is connected to ground. In the embodiments shown in
In the embodiments shown in
The gas cooking appliance 1; 1′; 1″; 1′″ further comprises an ignition device 11 comprising a pulse generator 13 configured for generating at least one electric pulse generating a spark which ignites the flame in the corresponding burner 3. The pulse generator 13 is in electrical contact with the burner 3.
In the embodiments shown in
In the first embodiment shown in
In the embodiments shown in
In the fourth embodiment shown in
The gas cooking appliance 1; 1′; 1″; 1′″ further comprises insulating means 15; 19; 9′ insulating the burner 3 with respect to ground. The insulating means 15; 19; 9′ allows an electric spark capable of igniting the burner 3 to be generated between the burner 3 and the flame detector 5 when the ignition device 11 sends at least one electric pulse. The electric pulse is transmitted through the electrode 12 or directly through the ignition wire 14 to the burner 3, with the spark being generated between the burner 3 and the flame detector 5. To that end, the burner 3 comprises at least one energizable area 18 configured for being energized by the pulse generator 13, the flame detector 5 and the energizable area 18 of the burner 3 being arranged such that the point connected to ground closest to the energizable area 18 is an end 5a of the flame detector 5.
In the embodiments shown in
In the fourth embodiment shown in
In the embodiments shown in the
In the first embodiment shown in
In the second embodiment shown in
In the fourth embodiment shown in
The following clauses disclose additional embodiments.
Clause 1. Gas cooking appliance comprising at least one burner (3) connected to a gas supply, an ignition device (11) configured for igniting the burner (3), the ignition device (11) comprising a pulse generator (13) configured for sending at least one electric pulse generating a spark which ignites the burner (3), and a flame detector (5) configured for detecting the presence/absence of flame in the burner (3), the pulse generator (13) is in electrical contact with the burner (3), and the flame detector (5) is connected to ground, the cooking appliance (1; 1′; 1″; 1′″) further comprising insulating means (15; 19; 19′) insulating the burner (3) with respect to earth such that, when the pulse generator (13) of the ignition device (11) sends at least one electric pulse, an electric spark capable of igniting the burner (3) is generated between the burner (3) and the flame detector (5).
Clause 2. Gas cooking appliance according to clause 1, wherein the burner (3) comprises at least one energizable area (18) configured for being energized by the pulse generator (13), the flame detector (5) and the energizable area (18) of the burner (3) being arranged such that the point connected to earth closest to said area (18) is an end (5a) of the flame detector (5).
Clause 3. Gas cooking appliance according to clause 2, wherein the burner (3) comprises a main body (9) made of an electrically conductive material, the energizable area (18) being comprised in said main body (9) of the burner (3).
Clause 4. Gas cooking appliance according to any of clauses 2 or 3, wherein the insulating means comprise an insulating element (15; 19) in contact with the energizable area (18) of the burner (3).
Clause 5. Gas cooking appliance according to clause 2, wherein the burner (3) comprises a main body (9) made of an electrically insulating material and a cover (8) made of an electrically conductive material, the energizable area (18) being comprised in said cover (8).
Clause 6. Gas cooking appliance according to clause 5, wherein the insulating means are formed by the main body (9′).
Clause 7. Gas cooking appliance according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the flame detector (5) comprises a thermocouple connected to ground.
Clause 8. Gas cooking appliance according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the ignition device (11) comprises an electrode (12) connected to the pulse generator (13) and in electrical contact with the burner (3).
Clause 9. Gas cooking appliance according to any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the ignition device (11) comprises an ignition wire (14) connected to the pulse generator (13) and in electrical contact with the burner (3).
Claims
1. A gas cooking appliance comprising:
- a burner;
- an ignition device including a pulse generator configured to produce an electric pulse, the pulse generator being electrically coupled to the burner; and
- a flame detector connected to ground and configured to detect a presence or absence of a flame in the burner;
- the burner being insulated with respect to earth such that, when the pulse generator produces the electric pulse, an electric spark capable of igniting the burner is generated between the burner and the flame detector.
2. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the burner includes an energizable area that is configured to be electrically energized by the electric pulse produced by the pulse generator, an end of the flame detector being a point connected to earth closest to the energizable area.
3. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the burner includes a main body made of an electrically conductive material, the energizable area being a part of the main body.
4. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 2, further comprising insulating means that includes an insulating element in contact with the energizable area of the burner.
5. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 3, further comprising insulating means that includes an insulating element in contact with the energizable area of the burner.
6. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the burner includes a main body made of an electrically insulating material and a cover made of an electrically conductive material, the energizable area being a part of the cover.
7. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the flame detector is a thermocouple coupled to ground.
8. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode electrically connected to the pulse generator and in electrical contact with a part of the burner.
9. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the ignition device includes an ignition wire connected to the pulse generator and in electrical contact with a part of the burner.
10. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the ignition device includes an ignition wire connected to and disposed between the pulse generator and the electrode.
11. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 8, further comprising an electrical insulating element longitudinally surrounding the electrode.
12. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the burner comprises a main body and a cover, the cover being made of an electrically conductive material, the pulse generator being electrically coupled to the cover.
13. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein the main body is made of a material that is not electrically conductive.
14. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 13, wherein the main body is made of a ceramic material.
15. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the burner includes a main body, the gas cooking appliance further comprising an electrical insulating element disposed between the main body of the burner and a cooktop of the gas cooking appliance.
16. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein the flame detector extends through a through opening in the insulating element.
17. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the burner includes a main body, the gas cooking appliance further comprising an insulating element disposed between the main body of the burner and a cooktop of the gas cooking appliance, the gas cooking appliance further including an electrode electrically connected to the pulse generator and in direct electrical contact with a part of the burner.
18. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 17, wherein the electrode extends through a first through opening in the insulating element.
19. The gas cooking appliance according to claim 18, wherein the flame detector extends through a second through opening in the insulating element.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 11, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 1, 2021
Patent Grant number: 11692707
Inventors: Marcos PABLO CURTO (Hernani), Andoni UNANUE IMAZ (Idiazabal)
Application Number: 17/198,935